LCD panels bioleaching with pure and mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus

The influence of pure and mixed culture of A. ferrooxidans and A. tiooxidans as well as different pulp density (1 and 2%) of LCD panels on the In and Sn bioleaching efficiency was investigated. Pulp density is one of the factors affecting the metals extraction efficiency during biological leaching. It has been shown that lower pulp density results in higher indium and tin dissolution. The A. ferrooxidans bioleaching system showed better metal extraction results than A. thiooxidans, especially for tin, indicating the special role of iron and A. ferrooxidans in tin recovery. The highest leaching rate of both indium (94.7%) and tin (98.2%) was obtained using iron and sulfur medium inoculated with mixed bacteria and a pulp density of 1% w/v.